msd7al-3 problem

[Duane Dagostino]

reverse green and violet wires from the crank trigger to the box at the box see what happens to your timing....mine did the same as yours reversed the wires ,,fixed!

[voltdr]

I agree about the polarity of the crank trigger wires. I've seen it and fixed it before.
Dan

[GaryGoFast]

I think that box has to have "0" degree retard chips when no retard being used.

[buzzinhalfdozen]

Originally Posted by GaryGoFast

I think that box has to have "0" degree retard chips when no retard being used.

YEP, had a freind 2 weeks ago was about to load up after trying everything he had, motor just didn't sound right either. So I asked him what have you done...he said nothing just pulled this chip out cause I didn't need it, he put it in FIXED. Those units require a chip in each position always.

[flash]

I have 0 retard chips in each retard slot.even took them out and put 4 more new ones in!

[Tom Goldman]

All 4 retard inputs must also be grounded besides having the zero pill in if the retard is not being used.
I'd check that ground .

[flash]

I just checked my wiring of the car.none of the 4 retards are grounded. wired car by K & R wiring diagram and it does not show that either.easy enough to do but how does this get missed? talked to MSD twice and they never mentioned it either.will try thay tomorrow.

[flash]

thanks for all the advice! just thought everybody would want a followup on what was the problem and what fixed it.I tried grounding all 4 retard terminals and that did not change anything.I reversed the 2 wires from crank trigger-greem & purple wires that go to -M & +M to reverse the polarity and "that fixed it" timing is dead on 35 degrees. but the question is this-what happened or caused this to happen? wired the car 2 years ago with a K & R wiring kit.and we have checked and changed timing several times and it was always right.then one day the car slows down and we start checking things and found this problem.will it happen again and have to switch them back? happy to have found the problem and fixed it so easy. thanks to everybody that chimed in with advice!

[Bobby Fazio]

Originally Posted by GaryGoFast

I think that box has to have "0" degree retard chips when no retard being used.

I had the same problem. Take these chips out and do a OHM test with a multimeter. They should have 0.00 ohms. Regardless, if not using high speed timing control, throw these chips away altogether and ground the Timing #1, #2, #3, #4 terminals on the side of the box. Daisy chain three of the them and then run to a good ground. I had this same problem.